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San Jose State University, Department of Occupational TherapyAssistant Professor

Bio:

Sheama Krishnagiri is currently an assistant professor on tenure track. She earned
her Baccalaureate degree in Kinesiology from the University of California at Los Angeles
and her Master of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern
California. She has the distinction of being the first person to earn a Ph.D. in Occupational
Science from the University of Southern California in 1994. Dr. Krishnagiri has over
15 years experience teaching at the master's and doctoral levels in Occupational Therapy.
Her research interests are is in the area of social occupations and efficacy studies.
In particular, she has examined the occupation of mate selection is several populations,
most recently with older adults. She has also studied the occupation of hanging out
and building communities in the virtual context. Dr. Krishnagiri currently serves
as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Society for the Study of Occupation – USA.
Additionally, she serves as an emeritus member of the Accreditation Council for Occupational
Therapy Education after a total of 10 years of service. Her clinical experience most
recently has been in the area of pediatrics with a few years of practice in adult
physical disabilities prior to that.

Projects:

Completed data collection last summer on dating and mating in the older adult population
in South Florida. Data analysis is in process. Comparison of the occupation will be
made to data with adults and those with physical disability.

Will be looking at the meaning of hanging out in various other populations including
the older adult population. Leisure occupations amongst the elderly are another area
of interest to be pursued.